Tidrow, a two-time graduate of Ball State, returns to Muncie to serve as lead voice
MUNCIE, Ind. – Mick Tidrow has been hired as the new Voice of the Cardinals, it was announced by Ball State Athletics and Ball State Sports Properties Tuesday.
In his role, Tidrow will serve as the radio play-by-play voice for all Ball State football and men’s basketball games, in addition to calling selected ESPN+ broadcasts, hosting coaches shows and providing regular appearances in social media packages.
“We’re excited to have Mick – a young, talented Ball State alum and graduate of the Sports Link program – return to our campus,” director of athletics Beth Goetz said. “The Voice of the Cardinals is a really important role, and we look forward to hearing his voice on our airwaves throughout the state of Indiana.”
A two-time graduate of Ball State, Tidrow returns to Muncie after serving as a television play-by-play broadcaster for Stadium and BEK Sports Network in North Dakota for the past two years.
Tidrow becomes just the third person in his role in nearly 50 years, following in the footsteps of Morry Mannies (1956-2012) and Joel Godett (2012-22).
“It is the ultimate honor to be the next voice of Ball State, which has produced an immense amount of broadcasting talent,” Tidrow said. “To be the voice of my alma mater means the world. A special thank you to my wife Gabi, Shawn Sullivan, Beth Goetz, Chris Taylor and Shane Nichols and the entire Learfield team throughout this entire process. I can’t wait to come home.
“A tip of the cap to Joel Godett and Morry Mannies for setting the highest of standards as the two previous Cardinal voices. This position wouldn’t be what it is today without those two.
“Thank you, Cardinal nation, let’s get after it!”
Tidrow called Ball State women’s basketball and baseball games, in addition to working the sidelines for football, from 2018-20 for Learfield. During that same time frame, he was a broadcaster for ESPN+ for various games around the Mid-American Conference, including basketball and football games, among others.
Tidrow also gained experience while directing broadcasting efforts for the Missoula Osprey (2018) and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (2016-17). In both stops, Tidrow served as the social media coordinator, helping grow the followings of each fan base.
“We’re so thrilled to have Mick return to the airwaves of the Ball State radio network,” Shane Nichols, general manager of Ball State Sports Properties – LEARFIELD, said. “Mick has a terrific voice, a high-level ability to paint the picture of a game, and an unmatched passion for Ball State, which will translate into enjoyable broadcasts for Ball State fans.”
Tidrow attended Ball State from 2015-18 while working towards a degree in digital sports production and broadcasting through the Sports Link program, the nation’s first academic track in sports media production. He continued his studies in the program for two additional years while earning a master’s degree in digital storytelling.
Tidrow’s first Ball State game on the airwaves is set to be football’s season opener at Tennessee, Sept. 1.